Nail trimming

[Aeyja]

This morning I attempted to cut Harvey’s nails for the first time, but only managed to do his front paws. Grumpy little s%#$ was NOT letting me near his back feet I have watched the Amy Sedaris video but Harvey won’t just stand there like the bunny in the video. The only way I managed to get his front feet done was by enduring bites (well, nibbles followed by licks, as if he was going, “FRUSTRATED BITE, oh sorry *lick lick*), and for the second paw I had to put a towel over his head because he decided one was enough. Then he escaped, grabbed the bag of craisins from the bed and practically threw them at me, as if to say “woman I EARNED these!”. Cue foot flicks. 

 

My question is, does anyone have any ideas for how to make this process easier for both of us? And how can I get to his back paws while still holding his head away from me to avoid being mauled?

 

Also, how long are bunny nails supposed to be? Could someone please upload a picture of their bunny’s paw so I can see how long the nail is? Harvey’s talons seem really long, but I could only nip the ends of before he ‘told’ me I was getting to close, so they are still really long :/

[JackRabbit]

I’m with you Aeyja! I hate the way she makes everything look so easy! The thing about putting bunny on a table or other high surface doesn’t work with my bunnies — they *will* jump off any height!

[BunnyBrigade]

Do you have someone who would be willing to help you? The only way I can get Ian’s done is if I hold him and the bf cuts his nails. He’s a massive biter and will draw blood if we cut his nails any other way (ie. me cutting them solo or putting him on his back). He likes it when his eyes are covered, so he can’t see hands/fingers coming at him. Maybe it’s the same way with Harvey. I cut the nails about 2 to 3 millimeters above the quick. Sometimes I’ll go longer depending on squirmy they are being that day.

[Aeyja]

Harvey’s nails are black so I can’t see the quick. I can get my bf to help but things always get more stressful when he has to help, with grooming and things I’ve found it easier if I do it alone because everyone stays calmer. Covering his head with the towel seemed to make him grumpier, but his anger was directed at the towel so while he was busy trying to kill it I was able to get to his paw.

If I put him on a high surface the silly bun would backflip himself off and hurt himself, so that’s not something I even thought about risking

[BunnyBrigade]

Hmm…I would cover him with your hand. The towel annoys Ian too. =p I have to shine a light under Skipper’s paws to see the quick, she has black nails too. Maybe have your bf hold him and you cut?

[Aeyja]

Might have to just try the 2-person technique, but things always get so much more stressful when he’s involved

Can anyone upload a pic of your bunny’s nails? Just so I can get an idea of the length they are supposed to be.

[BunnyBrigade]

Aeyja when I do Tonka’s nail either tomorrow or Tuesday I’ll try and get before and after picks of his nails for you. He has dark-ish nails too so it may help. Why are things more stressful with his help? =[

[Aeyja]

Awesome thank you BunnyBrigade!

I won’t go into too much detail, but he doesn’t have the patience necessary to stay calm throughout Harvey trying to escape. He doesn’t hold him firmly enough and seems to think I am being mean by trying to restrain him for maintenance. It just doesn’t work, so if I can do it myself it’s a MUCH less frustrating and painful ordeal

[JackRabbit]

I’d be interested in those pics too BB. It usually takes 3 of us to do nails . . . I’m the holder, son is the clipper, and hubby is there to try to keep me calm and to keep son from choking me when I say “please be careful” every millisecond! I’m afraid I might have to be the clipper next time . . .

[BunnyBrigade]

I’ll get a picture too then of how I hold him. And try to get one of the bf and I cutting them. =p =]

[BunnyBrigade]

So I do apologize if the photos are not so great. Tonka decided to be extra squirmy today.

Here I am holding him, if you can’t tell I have my hand under his arms and have him gently lifted up. We’re doing this on our kitchen table which has a bar stool height. I find doing this on a higher table is a lot easier versus doing it on a lower one. It may depend on you.

So while I’m holding Tohka, the boy friend is cutting his nails. I place my hand over his eyes (I move my hand down more than how I have it now). He does the Press-Press-Clip method.

So I judge the length of my buns’ nails on their feet fur. I have a hard time seeing the qwik on Skipper and Tohka. Shining a light does help. But I like to judge it by their nails needing a cut if they peak out from under their foot fur. And I clip them so their nails can not be seen through the fur.

 

Ian’s cut nails. Can’t see them poking out from the fur so they’re okay for now. =] We try to cut them every other month.

Not sure if this made a whole lot of sense. But I hope it helps.

[Author]

Messages